New updates for old Apple Watches says a lot about what people are really using.
Apple just released new software updates for older iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, but let’s just focus on Apple Watches for now. From Aaron Perris (reported by 9to5Mac):
Apple has released the following new software updates:
watchOS 10.6.2 (build 21U594)
watchOS 9.6.4 (build 20U512)
watchOS 6.3.1 (build 17U224)
These releases are all for older versions of iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch software. […]
Per Apple’s online support documents, they appear to be focused on extending iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation certifications on older devices.
From Apple’s website regarding the Big Sur update:
“This update extends the certification required by features such as iMessage, FaceTime, and device activation to continue working after January 2027.”
watchOS 10 is actually smoother than watchOS 26 in a lot of ways, partly because Liquid Glass has made watchOS more buggy and even my iPad Pro 4th generation isn’t as speedy as it was on iPadOS 18. This update isn’t much of a surprise, but I’m glad they have extended compatibility for these older watches, especially the Series 5.
watchOS 9.6.4 is a “black hole” version of watchOS because all watches compatible with watchOS 9 (Series 4, 5, SE 1st gen), are able to upgrade to watchOS 10, but if it is synced to an iPhone 8 or iPhone X, it won’t upgrade to watchOS 10.
That means we still have a lot of iPhone 8 and iPhone X users out there. Phones released in late 2017.
WatchOS 6.3.1 is compatible with, wait for it, the Series 1, released back in September 2016. It featured the same dual-core processor as the Series 2, while the original Apple Watch was too slow for its own good.
The main reason for all these updates: to extend device functionality past January 2027.
Wow.
It’s great that they released the update now because it might take till January 2027 to sync your iPhone 6S Plus with your Apple Watch Series 1. And yes, there are still people using an iPhone 6S Plus.